Camosun president Sherri Bell, and culinary arts program chair Steven Walker-Duncan butler pakoras from the new food truck, the Camosun Cuisine Machine, that was officially launched with its new vinyl-wrap graphics designed by Camosun comic and graphic novel students on Wednesday. Travis Paterson/News Staff

Camosun artists wrap school’s new food truck in comic figures

Camosun College launched its new food truck for a second time as the truck is now wrapped in cartoon-style artwork by students of the Comics and Graphics Novels program.

Students and staff enjoyed samples of veggies pakoras with mango chutney and butter chicken tacos served on small tortillas.

The truck serves a rotating menu such as burgers, tacos, sushi, pakoras and more. It is also on a rotating schedule as it visits both the Interurban and Lansdowne campuses on Wednesday each week, as well as local high schools.

“The truck is really well received at the schools, especially places like Reynolds, where there is no cafeteria,” said culinary arts program chair Steve Walker-Duncan.

The food truck was designed as a learning vehicle and is entirely operated by students who practice the fundamentals of managing a complex business and restaurant operation on wheels.

“It’s the perfect vehicle for applied learning, pun intended,” Walker-Duncan said. “It’s a true collaboration between students in culinary arts, trades and the visual arts who all worked applying their different skills to get the truck ready to roll and to serve customers.”

The artwork wraps the entirety of the new food truck, highlighting various aspects of the Camosun student experience by referencing students from different programs.

Artist Rachel Smith from the Camosun comic and graphic novel program designed two of the characters.

One is a student skateboarding in a suit with money falling out of his pocket to exemplify the youth and vigour of Camosun’s business program. The other is a happy student hanging out, eating a slice of pizza.

“I actually sketched out my characters on an 11 by 17 pad and then we scan it, fill it in on the computer, and then turn it into the vinyl wrap,” Smith said. “It was a lot effort all-around and a great experience to be a part of.”